EF0 Tornado — Monroe, Kentucky

2021-12-11 · near Boles, Monroe, Kentucky

5.4 mi

Path length

75 yds

Path width

Event narrative

This tornado developed in Clay County, Tennessee, on the northeast side of Hermitage Springs, before tracking northeastward and crossing into Monroe County, Kentucky (see Storm Data from the Nashville, Tennessee office for more information on the beginning portion of this tornado in Tennessee). A barn and several trees were damaged along Beech Grove-Boles Road, with estimated maximum wind speeds of 85 mph. Additional trees were damaged along Rhoton Cave Road and near the intersection of Highways 163 and 216 in Hestand. The tornado damaged a barn near the intersection of Vernon Road and Bailey Cemetery Road before lifting.

Wider weather episode

Strong southern winds brought warm temperatures and plenty of moisture into an environment of strong wind shear ahead of an advancing cold front. This resulted in unusually warm temperatures for a December day and the ingredients to produce a historic tornado outbreak and flash flooding. This included multiple long track tornadoes. Central Kentucky saw 18 tornadoes that injured 96 and killed 18. An additional death occurred in a flash flood.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.6184, -85.6811)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 996925. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.